Management unit with local agent

ABSTRACT

A management unit manages a plurality of multiservice communication devices capable of communicating via a plurality of networks. The management unit includes a device interface for facilitating a bidirectional data communication with the plurality of multiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices via either a logical or physical control channel. A network interface receives network resource data from the plurality of networks. A management processing unit includes a local agent that gathers environmental data, wherein the management processing unit processes the inbound control data, the environmental data and the network resource data and that generates the outbound control data in response thereto.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to copending applications:application Ser. No. 12/264,372, entitled, MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATIONDEVICE WITH DEDICATED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING, filed on Nov. 4, 2008,issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,467,305 on Jun. 18, 2013;

application Ser. No. 12/264,379, entitled, MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATIONDEVICE WITH DEDICATED CONTROL CHANNEL, filed on Nov. 4, 2008, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 8,521,222 on Aug. 27, 2013;

application Ser. No. 12/264,419, entitled, MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATIONDEVICE WITH LOGICAL CONTROL CHANNEL, filed on Nov. 4, 2008, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 8,265,690 on Sep. 11, 2012;

application Ser. No. 12/264,426, entitled, MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATIONDEVICE WITH COGNITIVE RADIO TRANSCEIVER, filed on Nov. 4, 2008, issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 8,358,978 on Jan. 22, 2013;

application Ser. No. 12/264,434, entitled, MANAGEMENT UNIT FOR MANAGINGA PLURALITY OF MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATION DEVICES, filed on Nov. 4,2008, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,131,220 on Mar. 6, 2012;

application Ser. No. 12/264,442, entitled, MANAGEMENT UNIT NETWORK FORMANAGING A PLURALITY OF MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATION DEVICES, filed onNov. 4, 2008, abandoned;

application Ser. No. 12/264,449, entitled, SERVICE AGGREGATOR FORALLOCATING RESOURCES TO A PLURALITY OF MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATIONDEVICES, filed on Nov. 4, 2008, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,185,099;

application Ser. No. 12/264,454, entitled, MANAGEMENT UNIT FORFACILITATING INTER-NETWORK HAND-OFF FOR A MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATIONDEVICE, filed on Nov. 4, 2008, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,195,143 on Jun.5, 2012;

application Ser. No. 12/264,472, entitled MANAGEMENT UNIT NETWORK FORCOLLABORATIVELY MANAGING A PLURALITY OF MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATIONDEVICES, filed on Nov. 4, 2008, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,855,025 onOct. 7, 2012;

the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to communication devices and moreparticularly to the communication devices that communicate with multiplenetworks in multiple frequency bands.

2. Description of Related Art

Wireless communication systems are known to support wirelesscommunications between wireless communication devices affiliated withthe system. Such wireless communication systems range from nationaland/or international cellular telephone systems to point-to-pointin-home wireless networks. Each type of wireless communication system isconstructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or morestandards. Such wireless communication standards include, but are notlimited to IEEE 802.11, 802.15, 802.16, long term evolution (LTE),Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access(CDMA), wireless application protocols (WAP), local multi-pointdistribution services (LMDS), multi-channel multi-point distributionsystems (MMDS), and/or variations thereof.

An IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless communication system includes aplurality of client devices (e.g., laptops, personal computers, personaldigital assistants, etc., coupled to a station) that communicate over awireless link with one or more access points. As is also generallyunderstood in the art, many wireless communications systems employ acarrier-sense multiple access (CSMA) protocol that allows multiplecommunication devices to share the same radio spectrum. Before awireless communication device transmits, it “listens” to the wirelesslink to determine if the spectrum is in use by another station to avoida potential data collision. In other systems, transmissions can bescheduled using management frames or power save multi-poll (PSMP), forexample. In many cases, the transmitting device (e.g., a client deviceor access point) transmits at a fixed power level regardless of thedistance between the transmitting device and a targeted device (e.g.,station or access point). Typically, the closer the transmitting deviceis to the targeted device, the less error there will be in the receptionof the transmitted signal.

A cognitive radio is a wireless communication device that can adjusttransmission or reception parameters to communicate efficiently toavoiding interference. This alteration of parameters can be based on theactive monitoring of several factors in the external and internal radioenvironment, such as radio frequency spectrum, user behavior and networkstate.

When one or more of these communication devices is mobile, its transmitand receive characteristics can change with the motion of the device, asit moves closer or farther from a device it is communication with, andas the transmission environment changes due to the devices position withrespect to reflecting members, interfering stations, noise sources, etc.

The limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthrough comparison of such systems with the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network 111 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationdevice 125 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RFtransceiver 123 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acommunication device 125 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of a spectrum 210 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of a spectrum 220 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RF receiver127′ in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram representation of a portion of aprotocol stack in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram representation of network protocolpacket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acommunication device 125 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver 123′ in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RFtransceiver 123″ in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RFtransceiver 123′″ in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a managementunit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of amanagement unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of amanagement unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of amanagement unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a managementnetwork in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of amanagement unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of amanagement unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a processingmodule 225 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 36 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 37 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 38 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 39 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 40 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 41 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 42 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 43 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 44 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 45 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 46 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 47 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 48 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 49 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 50 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 51 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention. In particular acommunication system is shown that includes a communication device 10that communicates real-time data 24 and/or non-real-time data 26wirelessly with one or more other devices such as base station 18,non-real-time device 20, real-time device 22, and non-real-time and/orreal-time device 25 of networks 2 and 4. In addition, communicationdevice 10 can also optionally communicate over a wireline connectionwith non-real-time device 12, real-time device 14 and non-real-timeand/or real-time device 16.

In an embodiment of the present invention the wireline connection 28 canbe a wired connection that operates in accordance with one or morestandard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB), Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488, IEEE 1394 (Firewire),Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial or paralleladvanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wiredcommunication protocol, either standard or proprietary. The wirelessconnections can communicate in accordance with a wireless networkprotocol such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, orother wireless network protocol, a wireless telephony data/voiceprotocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution(EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), WCDMA, LTE or othermobile wireless protocol or other wireless communication protocol,either standard or proprietary. Further, the wireless communicationpaths can include separate transmit and receive paths that use separatecarrier frequencies and/or separate frequency channels. Alternatively, asingle frequency or frequency channel can be used to bidirectionallycommunicate data to and from the communication device 10.

Communication device 10 can be a mobile phone such as a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant, game console, game device,personal computer, laptop computer, wireless display or other devicethat performs one or more functions that include communication of voiceand/or data via wireline connection 28 and/or the wireless communicationpaths. In an embodiment of the present invention, the real-time andnon-real-time devices 12, 14 16, 18, 20, 22 and 25 can be base stations,access points, terminals, personal computers, laptops, PDAs, storagedevices, cable replacements, bridge/hub devices, wireless HDMI devices,mobile phones, such as cellular telephones, devices equipped withwireless local area network or Bluetooth transceivers, FM tuners, TVtuners, digital cameras, digital camcorders, or other devices thateither produce, process or use audio, video signals or other data orcommunications.

In operation, the communication device includes one or more applicationsthat include voice communications such as standard telephonyapplications, voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, localgaming, Internet gaming, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging,web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/videodownloading, playing of streaming audio/video, office applications suchas databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation creation andprocessing and other voice and data applications. In conjunction withthese applications, the real-time data 26 includes voice, audio, videoand multimedia applications including Internet gaming, etc. Thenon-real-time data 24 includes text messaging, email, web browsing, fileuploading and downloading, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, communication device 10 canbe a multiservice device that is capable of communicating real timeand/or non-real-time data wirelessly with multiple networks such asnetworks 2 and 4 either contemporaneously or non-contemporaneously. Thismultiservice functionality can include the ability to engage incommunications over multiple networks, to choose the best network orhave the best network chosen for it for engaging in a particularcommunication. For example, communication device 10 wishing to place atelephone call may launch a traditional telephone call with a remotecaller over a cellular telephone network via a cellular voice protocol,a voice over IP call over a data network via a wireless local areanetwork protocol, or on a peer-to-peer basis with another communicationdevice via a Bluetooth protocol. In another example, communicationdevice 10 wishing to access a video program might receive a streamingvideo signal over a cellular telephone network via a cellular dataprotocol, receive a direct broadcast video signal, download a podcastvideo signal over a data network via a wireless local area networkprotocol, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 10includes an integrated circuit, such as an RF integrated circuit thatincludes one or more features or functions of the present invention.Such integrated circuits shall be described in greater detail inassociation with FIGS. 3-51 that follow.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 2 presents a communication system that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 1 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. Communication device 30 is similar to communication device 10and is capable of any of the applications, functions and featuresattributed to communication device 10, as discussed in conjunction withFIG. 1. However, communication device 30 includes two or more separatewireless transceivers for communicating, contemporaneously, via two ormore wireless communication protocols with data device 32 and/or database station 34 of network 6 via RF data 40 and voice base station 36and/or voice device 38 of network 8 via RF voice signals 42.

FIG. 3 presents a pictorial representation of wireless networks 107 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wirelessnetwork 111, includes an access point 110 that is coupled to packetswitched backbone network 101. The access point 110 managescommunication flow over the wireless network 111 destined for andoriginating from each of communication devices 91, 93, 97 and 125. Viathe access point 110, each of the communication devices 91, 93, 97 and125 can access service provider network 105 and Internet 103 to, forexample, surf web-sites, download audio and/or video programming, sendand receive messages such as text messages, voice message and multimediamessages, access broadcast, stored or streaming audio, video or othermultimedia content, play games, send and receive telephone calls, andperform any other activities, provided directly by access point 110 orindirectly through packet switched backbone network 101.

One or more of the communication devices 91, 93, 97 and 125, such ascommunication device 125 is a mobile device that can include thefunctionality of communication devices 10 or 30. In addition,communication device 125 can engage in communications via one or moreother networks 2, 4 6 or 8 as discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationdevice 125 in accordance with the present invention. In particular,integrated circuit (IC) 50 is shown that implements communication device125 in conjunction with microphone 60, keypad/keyboard 58, memory 54,speaker/headset interface 62, display 56, camera 76, antenna interfaces72 . . . 72′, and wireline port 64. In operation, RF IC 50 includes aplurality of wireless transceivers such as transceivers 73 and 73′having RF and baseband modules for sending and receiving data such as RFreal-time data 26 and non-real-time data 24 and transmitting via antennainterfaces 72 . . . 72′ and antennas. Each antenna can be a fixedantenna, a single-input single-output (SISO) antenna, a multi-inputmulti-output (MIMO) antenna, a diversity antenna system, an antennaarray that allows the beam shape, gain, polarization or other antennaparameters to be controlled or other antenna configuration. In addition,IC 50 includes input/output module 71 that includes the appropriateinterfaces, drivers, encoders and decoders for communicating via thewireline connection 28 via wireline port 64, an optional memoryinterface for communicating with off-chip memory 54, a codec forencoding voice signals from microphone 60 into digital voice signals, akeypad/keyboard interface for generating data from keypad/keyboard 58 inresponse to the actions of a user, a display driver for driving display56, such as by rendering a color video signal, text, graphics, or otherdisplay data, and an audio driver such as an audio amplifier for drivingspeaker 62 and one or more other interfaces, such as for interfacingwith the camera 76 or the other peripheral devices.

Power management circuit (PMU) 95 includes one or more DC-DC converters,voltage regulators, current regulators or other power supplies forsupplying the IC 50 and optionally the other components of communicationdevice 10 and/or its peripheral devices with supply voltages and orcurrents (collectively power supply signals) that may be required topower these devices. Power management circuit 95 can operate from one ormore batteries, line power, an inductive power received from a remotedevice, a piezoelectric source that generates power in response tomotion of the integrated circuit and/or from other power sources, notshown. In particular, power management module 95 can selectively supplypower supply signals of different voltages, currents or current limitsor with adjustable voltages, currents or current limits in response topower mode signals received from the IC 50. While shown as an off-chipmodule, PMU 95 can be alternatively implemented as an on-chip circuit.

In addition, IC 50 may include an location generation module 48 thatgenerates location or motion parameters based on the location or motionof the device such as a longitude, latitude, altitude, address,velocity, velocity vector, acceleration (including deceleration), and/orother location or motion parameter. Location generation module 48 caninclude a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, one or moreaccelerometers, gyroscopes or positioning sensors, a device thatoperates via triangulation data received via the network, or otherlocation generation devices that generate or receive such location ormotion parameters.

In operation, the RF transceivers 73 . . . 73′ generate outbound RFsignals from outbound data and generate inbound data from inbound RFsignals to communication with a plurality of networks, such as networks2, 4, 6, 8, etc. In an embodiment of the present invention, the IC 50 isa system on a chip integrated circuit that includes at least oneprocessing device. Such a processing device, for instance, processingmodule 225, may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signalprocessor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmablegate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry,analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulatessignals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. Theassociated memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memorydevices that are either on-chip or off-chip such as memory 54. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the IC 50 implements one or more of its functions via a statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry,the associated memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsfor this circuitry is embedded with the circuitry comprising the statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

Also note that while certain modules of communication device 125 areshown to be included on IC 50 while others are not, IC 50 is shown forillustrative purposes and may include more or less of the modules ofcommunication device 125, depending on the particular implementation.Further, communication device 125 can include additional modules orfewer modules than those specifically shown. In operation, the IC 50executes operational instructions that implement one or more of theapplications (real-time or non-real-time) attributed to communicationdevices 125 as discussed above and in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver123, such as transceiver 73 or 73′, in accordance with the presentinvention. The RF transceiver 123 includes an RF transmitter 129, and anRF receiver 127. The RF receiver 127 includes a RF front end 140, a downconversion module 142 and a receiver baseband processing module 144 thatoperate under the control of control signals 141. The RF transmitter 129includes a transmitter baseband processing module 146, an up conversionmodule 148, and a radio transmitter front-end 150 that also operateunder control of control signals 141.

As shown, the receiver and transmitter are each coupled to an antennathrough an antenna interface 171 and a diplexer (duplexer) 177, such asantenna interface 72 or 74, that couples the transmit signal 155 to theantenna to produce outbound RF signal 170 and couples inbound signal 152to produce received signal 153. Alternatively, a transmit/receive switchcan be used in place of diplexer 177. While a single antenna isrepresented, the receiver and transmitter may share a multiple antennastructure that includes two or more antennas. In another embodiment, thereceiver and transmitter may share a multiple input multiple output(MIMO) antenna structure, diversity antenna structure, phased array orother controllable antenna structure that includes a plurality ofantennas. Each of these antennas may be fixed, programmable, and antennaarray or other antenna configuration.

In operation, the transmitter receives outbound data 162 from otherportions of its a host device, such as a communication applicationexecuted by processing module 225 or other source via the transmitterprocessing module 146. The transmitter processing module 146 processesthe outbound data 162 in accordance with a particular wirelesscommunication standard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA,et cetera) to produce baseband or low intermediate frequency (IF)transmit (TX) signals 164 that contain outbound data 162. The basebandor low IF TX signals 164 may be digital baseband signals (e.g., have azero IF) or digital low IF signals, where the low IF typically will bein a frequency range of one hundred kilohertz to a few megahertz. Notethat the processing performed by the transmitter processing module 146can include, but is not limited to, scrambling, encoding, puncturing,mapping, modulation, and/or digital baseband to IF conversion.

The up conversion module 148 includes a digital-to-analog conversion(DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and a mixing section. TheDAC module converts the baseband or low IF TX signals 164 from thedigital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gain modulefilters and/or adjusts the gain of the analog signals prior to providingit to the mixing section. The mixing section converts the analogbaseband or low IF signals into up-converted signals 166 based on atransmitter local oscillation.

The radio transmitter front end 150 includes a power amplifier and mayalso include a transmit filter module. The power amplifier amplifies theup-converted signals 166 to produce outbound RF signals 170, which maybe filtered by the transmitter filter module, if included. The antennastructure transmits the outbound RF signals 170 to a targeted devicesuch as a RF tag, base station, an access point and/or another wirelesscommunication device via an antenna interface 171 coupled to an antennathat provides impedance matching and optional bandpass filtration.

The receiver receives inbound RF signals 152 via the antenna andoff-chip antenna interface 171 that operates to process the inbound RFsignal 152 into received signal 153 for the receiver front-end 140. Ingeneral, antenna interface 171 provides impedance matching of antenna tothe RF front-end 140, optional bandpass filtration of the inbound RFsignal 152 and optionally controls the configuration of the antenna inresponse to one or more control signals 141 generated by processingmodule 225.

The down conversion module 142 includes a mixing section, an analog todigital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/orgain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 intoa down converted signal 156 that is based on a receiver localoscillation, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal. The ADC moduleconverts the analog baseband or low IF signal into a digital baseband orlow IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high pass and/or lowpass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to produce a basebandor low IF signal 156. Note that the ordering of the ADC module andfiltering and/or gain module may be switched, such that the filteringand/or gain module is an analog module.

The receiver processing module 144 processes the baseband or low IFsignal 156 in accordance with a particular wireless communicationstandard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) toproduce inbound data 160. The processing performed by the receiverprocessing module 144 includes, but is not limited to, digitalintermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping,depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling.

Further, processing module 225 generates one or more control signals 141to configure or adapt the RF transceiver 123 to communication with oneor more of the networks 2, 4, 6 and 8. In operation, processing module225 generates control signals 141 to modify the transmit and/or receiverparameters of the RF transceiver 125 such as protocol parameters, datarates, modulation types and other data parameters used by receiverprocessing module 144 and transmitter processing module 146, frequencybands, channels and bandwidths, filter settings, gains, power levels,ADC and DAC parameters, and other parameters used by RF front-end 140,radio transmitter front-end 150, down conversion module 142 and upconversion module 148, as well as antenna configurations used by antennainterface 171 to set the beam pattern, gain, polarization or otherantenna configuration of the antenna.

The control signals 141 can be analog signals, digital signals,discrete-time signals of other signals that control the modules of RFtransceiver 123 to adapt to communication via different networks. Forexample, in one mode of operation, communication device 125 includes aplurality of different transceivers 73 . . . 73′, that are each designedand implemented by a particular RF transceiver 123 for communicatingwith one of the plurality of networks 2, 4, 6 and/or 8. Each of these RFtransceivers 123 can be selectively enabled or disabled via controlsignals 141 to operate under the control of processing module 225 tocommunicate with its corresponding network 2, 4, 6 or 8 when required.In another embodiment of the present invention one or more of thetransceivers 73 . . . 73′ is implemented via a cognitive radiotransceiver or other flexible RF transceiver 123 that can be configuredto communicate with different networks based on a selected mode ofoperation. For example, such a flexible RF transceiver 123 can beconfigured to operate as either a Bluetooth transceiver, a GSMtransceiver or a 802.11g transceiver based on the generation of thecontrol signals 141 to implement the corresponding transmit and receivecharacteristics. Further details regarding particular conditions forgenerating control signals 141 will be discussed in conjunction withFIGS. 6-51 that follow.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acommunication device 125 in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, a communication device is shown that includes many commonelements shown in conjunction with FIG. 4. In this embodiment however,IC 50 includes an optional receiver 77, such as an environmentalmonitoring receiver, that can evaluate the RF environment via ananalysis of RF signal spectrum 203.

In particular, communication device 125 includes a plurality oftransceivers 73 that wirelessly transceive data with a correspondingplurality of networks, such as networks 2, 4, 6, 8, etc. in accordancewith a corresponding plurality of network protocols. Receiver 77receives and processes received RF signals, over a broadband spectrum,such as RF signal spectrum 203 and generates environmental data inresponse thereto. Processing module 225 processes the environmental dataand generates one or more control signals 141 in response thereto foradapting the transceivers 73 based on the environmental data.

In operation, receiver 77 analyzed an RF spectrum that encompasses thefrequency bands used by each of the transceivers 73 including optionalfrequency bands that can be used by each of these transceivers. Theenvironmental data can identify unused spectrum, used spectrum, desiredchannels, undesired channels, noise and interference, that can be usedto adapt the transceivers 73 to more favorable conditions.

In one example, when conditions with respect to a particular frequencychannel begin to deteriorate or otherwise a better frequency channel isfound by receiver 77 for use by one of the plurality of transceivers 73,processing module 225 can generate control signals 141 and outbound datato coordinate with a remote station via control signaling and to switchthe new frequency channel and to change the transceiver 73 to the newfrequency channel. In another example, when communications with aparticular network begin to deteriorate or otherwise a better network isfound by receiver 77 for use by communication device 125, processingmodule 225 can generate control signals 141 and outbound data tocoordinate a handoff to a new network or a new network device and eitheradapt a transceiver 73 to the new network or switch the transceiver 73in use to a transceiver adapted for communication with the new networkor network device. In addition, transceiver 73 can take on the functionof receiver 77 during idle periods. In a further example, whencommunication conditions, such as noise and interference change for aparticular transceiver, processing module 225 can generate controlsignals 141 to modify a transmission parameter and/or a receiveparameter of the transceiver 73 to adapt to the change in conditions.

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of a spectrum 210 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, spectrum 210represents an example of an RF signal spectrum 203 received by anenvironmental monitoring receiver, such as receiver 77. In an embodimentof the present invention, the receiver 77 receives and analyses the RFsignal spectrum and can identify unused portions of spectrum, such asavailable spectrum 212, based on the lack of signal energy in thesespectra. In addition, receiver 77 can identify undesired channels, byidentifying regions with unacceptable levels of noise and interference214 based on signal to noise ratios, signal to noise and interferenceratios, packet error rates, data rates, etc.

FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of a spectrum 220 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, spectrum 220represents another example of an RF signal spectrum 203 received by aenvironmental monitoring receiver, such as receiver 77. In addition tothe functions and features described in conjunction with FIG. 7,receiver 77 can identify desired channels, such as desired channel 222,also based the availability of remote stations with available capacityto service the communication device 125. In particular, desired channelscan be identified based on the presence of strong beacon signals orother communications from remote devices indicating that a network ispresent and that signals can be received with acceptable levels of noiseand/or interference.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RF receiver127′ in accordance with the present invention. RF receiver 127′, such asreceiver 77, shares many common elements with RF receiver 127 that arereferred to by common reference numerals. Receiver 127′ can beimplemented via a dedicated radio receiver, or as a cognitive radiotransceiver or other flexible transceiver, such as one of thetransceivers 73 configured to operate via control signals 141 as anenvironmental monitoring transceiver in an environmental monitoring modeof operation. In operation, RF receiver 127′ receives inbound RF signals152 via the antenna and off-chip antenna interface 171 that operates toprocess the inbound RF signal 152 into received signal 153 for thereceiver front-end 140. In general, antenna interface 171 providesimpedance matching of antenna to the RF front-end 140, optional bandpassfiltration of the inbound RF signal 152 and optionally controls theconfiguration of the antenna in response to one or more control signals141 generated by processing module 225.

The down conversion module 142 includes a mixing section, an analog todigital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/orgain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 intoa down converted signal 156 that is based on a receiver localoscillation, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal. The ADC moduleconverts the analog baseband or low IF signal into a digital baseband orlow IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module, high pass and/or lowpass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to produce a basebandor low IF signal 156. Note that the ordering of the ADC module andfiltering and/or gain module may be switched, such that the filteringand/or gain module is an analog module.

The receiver processing module 144 processes the baseband or low IFsignal 156 in accordance with a particular wireless communicationstandard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) toproduce environmental data 161. The processing performed by the receiverprocessing module 144 includes, but is not limited to, digitalintermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping,depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling as well as optional furtherprocessing to indicate unused spectrum, used spectrum, desired channels,undesired channels, noise and interference, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, RF receiver 127′ includes RFfront-end 140 and down conversion module 142 that implement a narrowbandreceiver that is scanned over a broadband spectrum, such as RF signalspectrum 203. In this fashion, individual portions of the spectrum, theRF receiver 127′ can be tuned to individual frequency bands orindividual frequency channels for analysis to generate environmentaldata 161. In one mode of operation, the RF receiver 127′ can beadaptively scanned over the broadband spectrum to avoid transmissioninterference from at least one of the plurality of transceivers 73. Inparticular, the RF receiver 127′ can be operated via control signals141′ generated by processing module 225 to avoid being tuned tofrequency bands or channels at the same time the particular a particularfrequency band or channel is being used for transmission by one of theother transceivers 73 . . . 73′ of communication device 125.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the RF receiver 127′includes RF front-end 140 and down conversion module 142 that implementa broadband receiver that contemporaneously captures the received RFsignals over a broadband spectrum and generates environmental data byanalyzing the broadband spectrum using frequency domain analysis. Forexample, the down conversion module 142 can digitize baseband or low IFsignals over a broad range of frequencies and perform a fast Fouriertransform (FFT) or use other frequency domain methodologies in receiverprocessing module 144 to generate environmental data 161. In one mode ofoperation, the RF receiver 127′ can adaptively capture data from thebroadband spectrum to avoid transmission interference from at least oneof the plurality of transceivers 73. In particular, the RF receiver 127′can be operated via control signals 141′ generated by processing module225 to avoid capturing or analyzing inbound RF signal 152 at the sametime the particular one of the transceivers 73 . . . 73′ ofcommunication device 125 is transmitting.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention.Communication device 125 is shown transceiving network data with aplurality of networks 107 and 109, such as networks 2, 4, 6, 8 inaccordance with a plurality of network protocols. In this embodiment ofthe present invention, control data is communicated between a remotemanagement unit 200 and the communication device 125 via a logicalcontrol channel carried via network data communicated via either network107 or network 109. The management unit 200 assists the communicationdevice 125 in the configuration of one or more of the transceivers 73 .. . 73′.

In particular, at least one of the transceivers 73 . . . 73′ furthertransceives control channel data with the remote management unit 200contemporaneously with the network data via a logical control channelcarried using the corresponding one of the plurality of networkprotocols. The control channel data includes local control data sent tothe management unit 200 and remote control data received from themanagement unit 200. In accordance with this embodiment, processingmodule 225 processes the remote control data and generates a least onecontrol signal 141 in response thereto, the at least one control signal141 for adapting at least one of the transceivers 73 . . . 73′ based onthe remote control data.

The local control data sent to the management unit 200 can includelocation data or motion data generated by the location generation module48; RF environmental data, such as environmental monitoring data 161,battery remaining generated by power management unit 95; desired qualityof service; a latency preference; a cost preference; a transactionrequest such as a request for a particular network service orapplication; a device characteristic; and/or a data rate preference;generated by a communication application executed by processing module225 or other module of communication device 125.

In an embodiment of the present invention, processing module 225operates via state machine, algorithm, look-up table or calculation, togenerate control signals 141 and/or 141′ based on the remote controldata received from management unit 200. In this fashion, management unit200 can evaluate task requests that describe what a user communicationdevice 125 wishes to do, e.g. download an audio file, place a telephonecall, send a message, play a game, watch a video, etc., and gather otherinformation from communication device 125 via the local control dataregarding the capabilities, preferences and status of the device, andenvironmental data along with other pertinent data if any, and assistcommunication device in the configuration of its transceivers to fulfillthe requested tasks via networks 107, 109, etc. In addition, managementmodule 200 can evaluate local control data during the provision of aparticular network service to assist communication device 125 inadjusting transmit and receive parameters for better performance, switchfrequency channels, and/or to handoff to other networks.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram representation of a portion of aprotocol stack in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 10, control data can becommunicated between a remote management unit 200 and communicationdevice 125 via a logical control channel. In this embodiment controldata is carried via a control channel protocol 230 such as anapplication specific control channel protocol or universal protocol suchas an IP protocol. This control channel protocol 230 is stacked abovethe particular network protocol 232 in the protocol stack 231 used tocommunicate between communication device 125 and the wireless network107 or 109

In operation, local control data received in network data fromcommunication device 125 via network 107 or 109 is routed to managementunit 200. The local control data further includes a device identifier,such as an identification number or address that is specific tocommunication device 125 that is used to route remote control data frommanagement unit 200 back to communication device 125 via additionalnetwork data.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram representation of network protocolpacket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, a network protocol packet 234 is shown that includes apacket payload 238 and a packet overhead section 236 such as a packetheader or other overhead section. In this embodiment the logical controlchannel is implemented by tunneling control data, such as control data235 in a packet payload, such as packet payload 238.

In this embodiment, local control data included in control data 235 andreceived in network data from communication device 125 via network 107or 109, can be routed to management unit 200. The local control datafurther includes a device identifier, such as an identification numberor address that is specific to communication device 125 that is used toroute remote control data from management unit 200 back to communicationdevice 125 via control data 235.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, an embodiment is shown that includes management unit 201. Inthis embodiment, management unit 201 operates as management unit 200described in conjunction with FIG. 10, however management unit 201communicates with communication device 125 via a separate wirelesscontrol channel, such as a direct wireless channel between themanagement unit 201 and the communication device 125. In an embodimentof the present invention, the control channel is utilizes a controlchannel protocol, such as a standardized protocol, that differs from theplurality of network protocols used by networks 107, 109, etc. tocommunicate with communication device 125. In the alternative, a networkprotocol could be reused for this purpose or a universal protocol suchas an IP protocol could further be employed.

In this configuration communication device 125 can include a dedicatedcontrol channel transceiver to communicate with management unit 201. Inthis fashion, the control channel can be present to communicate controldata and to assist the communication device 125 in the configuration ofone or more of the transceivers 73 . . . 73′. In an alternativeembodiment, communication device 125 can configure one of thetransceivers 73 . . . 73′ to operate as a control channel. For instance,upon start-up of the device, movement to a new area or otherwise in adefault mode of operation, the communication device 125 can configureone of the transceivers 73 . . . 73′ to operate as a control channel andcommunicate with management unit 201 to determine what networks andnetwork resources are available. Management unit 201 can exchangecontrol data with communication device 201 to determine particulardevice parameters to configure one or more of its transceivers 73 . . .73′ to operate with the available network or networks, such as networks107, 109, etc., based on the particular task or tasks requested by thecommunication device 125.

Further, after set-up is complete the remote control data received bythe management unit 201 can include further reconfigure the particulartransceiver 73 or 73′, etc., previously used to implement the controlchannel, to communicate with a network 107, 109, etc. Optionally, thecommunication device 125 can return the transceiver back to the controlchannel mode of operation in the event a network is lost, a transceiver73 . . . 73′ becomes available, a start-up is initiated, thecommunication devices moves to a new area, or otherwise as initiated bya communication application executed by processing module 225 or underuser control.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment ofcommunication device in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, a communication device is shown that shares many commonelements of the communication devices 125 described in conjunction withFIGS. 4 and 9 that are referred to by common reference numerals. In thisembodiment however, RFIC 50 includes a control channel transceiver tocommunicate with management unit 201. Transceiver 75 can be a dedicatedcontrol channel transceiver. In this fashion, the control channel can bepresent to communicate control data and to assist the communicationdevice 125 in the configuration of one or more of the transceivers 73 .. . 73′. In an alternative embodiment, communication device 125 canconfigure one of the transceivers 73 . . . 73′ to operate as a controlchannel transceiver 75 in a control channel mode of operation.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver 123′ in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, an RF transceiver 123′ is shown that shares many commonelements of the RF transceiver 123 described in conjunction with FIG. 5that are referred to by common reference numerals and that can be usedto implement transceiver 75. RF Transceiver 123′ can be a dedicatedcontrol channel transceiver that implements a physical control channelvia outbound RF signal 170′ and inbound RF signal 152′. Inbound RFsignals 152′ from the management unit 201 are processed by RF receiver127 to produce remote control data 252. In addition, local control datais processed by RF transmitter 129 to produce an outbound RF signal 170′that is sent to the management unit 201. In this fashion, the controlchannel can be present to communicate control data and to assist thecommunication device 125 in the configuration of one or more of thetransceivers 73 . . . 73′. In an alternative embodiment, communicationdevice 125 can configure one of the transceivers 73 . . . 73′ to operateas a RF transceiver 123′ via optional control signals 141 in a controlchannel mode of operation.

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, a communication system is shown wherein the management unitsupplies cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 via a controlchannel to configure one or more cognitive radio transceivers ofcommunication device 125. In this fashion, the cognitive radiotransceiver can be configured for communication on different frequencychannels, different frequency bands, with different networks, viadifferent data rates and different protocols, to adapt to environmentalconditions, device conditions and/or to otherwise be adapted with othertransmit and receive characteristics.

For example, a logical control channel can be established between thecommunication device 125 and the management unit 200 via either adedicated control channel transceiver, a transceiver operated in acontrol channel mode of operation, or a cognitive radio transceiverconfigured for operation as a control channel transceiver. Local controlchannel data is sent to the management unit 200 that can includeenvironmental data collected via a dedicated environmental monitoringtransceiver, a transceiver operated in an environmental monitoring modeof operation or a cognitive radio transceiver configured to operate asan environmental monitoring receiver. In addition, the local controldata can include a task request, such as to place a telephone call, andfurther include device conditions such as preferred data rates, batterylife remaining, device model and optional operating system orcommunication application characteristics and other parameters. Inresponse, the management unit selects a particular network, such asnetwork 107 which is, in this example, a 900 MHz GSM mobile telephonenetwork that management unit 200 knows can be received well bycommunication device 125 based on the environmental data it has receivedas part of the local control data. Further, management unit 200generates cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 and sends thisdata to the communication device 125. Communication device receives thecognitive transceiver configuration data and configures one of itscognitive radio transceivers to operate as a 900 MHz GSM transceiver,establishes communication with network 107 and begins to fulfill itsrequested task of placing a telephone call.

Particular cognitive radio transceiver implementations will be discussedin conjunction with FIGS. 18-19 that follow.

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Like thecommunication system of FIG. 16, a communication system is shown whereina management unit supplies cognitive transceiver configuration data 260via a control channel to configure one or more cognitive radiotransceivers of communication device 125. In this fashion, the cognitiveradio transceiver can be configured for communication on differentfrequency channels, different frequency bands, with different networks,via different data rates and different protocols, to adapt toenvironmental conditions, device conditions and/or to otherwise beadapted with other transmit and receive characteristics. In thisembodiment, a management unit 201 is used in place of management unit tocommunicates with communication device 125 via a direct or separatephysical control channel, as discussed, for instance in conjunction withFIGS. 13-14.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RFtransceiver 123″ in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, an RF transceiver 123″ is shown that shares many commonelements of the RF transceivers 123 and 123′ described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 5 and 15 that are referred to by common reference numeralsand that can be used to implement transceivers 73, 73′ and 75. The RFtransceiver 123″ includes an RF transmitter 229, and an RF receiver 227.The RF receiver 227 includes a RF front end 140, a down conversionmodule 142 and a receiver processing module 144′. The RF transmitter 229includes a transmitter processing module 146′, an up conversion module148, and a radio transmitter front-end 150.

As shown, the receiver and transmitter are each coupled to an antennathrough an antenna interface 171 and a diplexer (duplexer) 177, such asantenna interface 72 or 74, that couples the transmit signal 155 to theantenna to produce outbound RF signal 170 and couples inbound signal 152to produce received signal 153. Alternatively, a transmit/receive switchcan be used in place of diplexer 177. While a single antenna isrepresented, the receiver and transmitter may share a multiple antennastructure that includes two or more antennas. In another embodiment, thereceiver and transmitter may share a multiple input multiple output(MIMO) antenna structure, diversity antenna structure, phased array orother controllable antenna structure that includes a plurality ofantennas. Each of these antennas may be fixed, programmable, and antennaarray or other antenna configuration.

In operation, the transmitter receives outbound realtime data 162 fromother portions of its a host device, such as a communication applicationexecuted by processing module 225 or other source via the transmitterprocessing module 146′. The transmitter processing module 146′ processesthe outbound data 162 in accordance with a particular wirelesscommunication standard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA,et cetera) to produce baseband or low intermediate frequency (IF)transmit (TX) signals 164 that contain outbound data 162. The basebandor low IF TX signals 164 may be digital baseband signals (e.g., have azero IF) or digital low IF signals, where the low IF typically will bein a frequency range of one hundred kilohertz to a few megahertz. Notethat the processing performed by the transmitter processing module 146′can include, but is not limited to, scrambling, encoding, puncturing,mapping, modulation, and/or digital baseband to IF conversion.

The up conversion module 148 includes a digital-to-analog conversion(DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and a mixing section. TheDAC module converts the baseband or low IF TX signals 164 from thedigital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gain modulefilters and/or adjusts the gain of the analog signals prior to providingit to the mixing section. The mixing section converts the analogbaseband or low IF signals into up-converted signals 166 based on atransmitter local oscillation.

The radio transmitter front end 150 includes a power amplifier and mayalso include a transmit filter module. The power amplifier amplifies theup-converted signals 166 to produce outbound RF signals 170, which maybe filtered by the transmitter filter module, if included. The antennastructure transmits the outbound RF signals 170 to a targeted devicesuch as a RF tag, base station, an access point and/or another wirelesscommunication device via an antenna interface 171 coupled to an antennathat provides impedance matching and optional bandpass filtration.

The receiver receives inbound RF signals 152 via the antenna andoff-chip antenna interface 171 that operates to process the inbound RFsignal 152 into received signal 153 for the receiver front-end 140. Ingeneral, antenna interface 171 provides impedance matching of antenna tothe RF front-end 140, optional bandpass filtration of the inbound RFsignal 152 and optionally controls the configuration of the antenna inresponse to one or more control signals 141 generated by processingmodule 225.

The down conversion module 142 includes a mixing section, an analog todigital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/orgain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 intoa down converted signal 156 that is based on a receiver localoscillation, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal. The ADC moduleconverts the analog baseband or low IF signal into a digital baseband orlow IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high pass and/or lowpass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to produce a basebandor low IF signal 156. Note that the ordering of the ADC module andfiltering and/or gain module may be switched, such that the filteringand/or gain module is an analog module.

The receiver processing module 144′ processes the baseband or low IFsignal 156 in accordance with a particular wireless communicationstandard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) toproduce inbound data 160. The processing performed by the receiverprocessing module 144′ includes, but is not limited to, digitalintermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping,depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the RF transceiver 123″ canbe configured as a control channel transceiver to receive inbound data160 that includes cognitive transceiver configuration data 260. The RFtransceiver 123″ can be configured as a control channel transceiver in adefault mode of operation and then reconfigure itself based on thecognitive transceiver configuration data 260 received via either aphysical or logical control channel established with management unit 200or 201. Then, for example, when communication device 125 completes thetask assigned to it in its reconfigured state, the RF transceiver 123″can reconfigure itself again to revert back to operation as a controlchannel transceiver.

The processing module 225 receives the cognitive transceiverconfiguration data 260 and generates one or more control signals 141 toconfigure or adapt the RF transceiver 123″ in response thereto. Like theprocessing module 225 of RF transceiver 123′, processing module 225generates control signals 141 to modify the transmit and/or receiverparameters of the RF transceiver 125 such as protocol parameters, datarates, modulation types and other data parameters used by receiverprocessing module 144′ and transmitter processing module 146′, frequencybands, channels and bandwidths, filter settings, gains, power levels,ADC and DAC parameters, and other parameters used by RF front-end 140,radio transmitter front-end 150, down conversion module 142 and upconversion module 148, as well as antenna configurations used by antennainterface 171 to set the beam pattern, gain, polarization, frequencyband or other antenna configuration of the antenna.

For example, the cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 caninclude receiver frequency band configuration data for configuring thefrequency band of the receiver front-end 140 via adjustment of a localoscillator frequency, filter bandwidth, etc, via control signals 140.The cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 can include transmitterfrequency band configuration data for configuring the frequency band ofthe transmitter front end via adjustment of a local oscillatorfrequency, filter bandwidth, etc. The cognitive transceiverconfiguration data 260 can include baseband processing configurationdata for configuring at least one baseband processing parameter of thereceiver baseband processing module 144′ such as a particular modulationscheme, protocol, data rate, etc. The cognitive transceiverconfiguration data 260 can include baseband processing configurationdata for configuring at least one baseband processing parameter of thetransmitter baseband processing module 146′ such as a particularmodulation scheme, protocol, data rate, etc.

The control signals 141 can be analog signals, digital signals,discrete-time signals of other signals that control the modules of RFtransceiver 123″ to adapt to communication via different networks. Inthis fashion, such a cognitive RF transceiver 123″ can be configured tooperate as either a Bluetooth transceiver, a GSM transceiver or a802.11g transceiver based on the generation of the control signals 141to implement the corresponding transmit and receive characteristics.

In a further mode of operation, the receiver processing module 144′includes a receiver application memory 240 that stores a receiverapplication that is executed by the receiver processing module toperform the functionality of this receiver processing module 144′. In adefault mode of operation the receiver application memory can store adefault receiver application that causes the receiver processing moduleto operate in a particular configuration—such as a GSM receiver, aBluetooth receiver, a CDMA receiver, a WIMAX receiver, and UWB receiver,a 802.11 receiver or as a control channel receiver, etc. The cognitivetransceiver configuration data 260 can includes other basebandprocessing application data that can be received and stored in receiverapplication memory 240 and for execution by the receiver basebandprocessing module 144′ in a new configuration. For example, whileoperating as a control channel receiver, the RF receiver 227 can receivecognitive transceiver configuration data 260 that includes basebandprocessing application data with a new receiver application, for examplea GSM receiver application, that is stored in receiver applicationmemory 240 and executed by the receiver baseband processing module 144′as part of a reconfiguration of the RF receiver 227 by processing module225 as a GSM receiver.

In a similar fashion, the transmitter processing module 146′ includes atransmitter application memory 241 that stores a transmitter applicationthat is executed by the transmitter processing module to perform thefunctionality of the transmitter processing module 146′. In a defaultmode of operation, the transmitter application memory can store adefault transmitter application that causes the transmitter processingmodule to operate in a particular configuration—such as a GSMtransmitter, a Bluetooth transmitter, a CDMA transmitter, a WIMAXtransmitter, and UWB transmitter, a 802.11 transmitter or as a controlchannel transmitter, etc. The cognitive transceiver configuration data260 can includes other baseband processing application data that can bereceived and stored in transmitter application memory 241 and forexecution by the transmitter baseband processing module 146′ in a newconfiguration. For example, while operating as a control channeltransceiver, the RF transceiver 123″ can receive cognitive transceiverconfiguration data 260 that includes baseband processing applicationdata with a new transmitter application, for example a GSM transmitterapplication, that is stored in transmitter application memory 241 andexecuted by the transmitter baseband processing module 146′ as part of areconfiguration of the RF transmitter 229 by processing module 225 as aGSM transmitter.

It should be noted that the examples presented above are merelyillustrative of the many possible configurations and reconfigurations ofsuch as cognitive RF transceiver 123″.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RFtransceiver 123′″ in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, an RF transceiver 123′″ is shown that shares many commonelements of the RF transceivers 123, 123′ and 123″ described inconjunction with FIGS. 5, 15 and 18 that are referred to by commonreference numerals and that can be used to implement transceivers 73,73′ and 75. In this embodiment however, the cognitive transceiverconfiguration data 260 is received via another transceiver, 73, 73′ or75 of communication device 125 that is configured as a physical orlogical control channel transceiver. In this fashion, multipletransceivers of communication device 125 can be configured orreconfigured to different applications under the control orcollaboration with management unit 200 or 201.

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, a network management unit 200 is shown for managing aplurality of multiservice communication devices 125, each capable ofcommunicating via a plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. In particular,management unit 200 communicates with each of the multiservicecommunication devices 125 via a logical control channel tunneled inand/or otherwise carried in conjunction with network data communicatedbetween the multiservice communication devices 125 and the networks 107,109, etc. Control data exchanged between the management unit 200 andeach of the multiservice communication devices 125 can include remotecontrol data that optionally include cognitive transceiver configurationdata, and local control data.

In an embodiment of the present invention, management unit 200 gathersdevice identification data, such as an IP address, mobile identificationnumber, MAC address or other device identifier corresponding to each ofthe multiservice communication devices 125 via local control datatransmitted from each device to the management unit 200 via the logicalcontrol channel. Remote control data transmitted from the managementunit 200 to a particular multiservice communication device 125 isaddressed via device identifier for the particular device.

Further details regarding a possible implementation of management unit200 are presented in conjunction with FIG. 21 that follows.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a managementunit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, amanagement unit 200 is shown that includes a management processing unit270 and a network interface 272 that receives network resource data 280from the plurality of networks, such as network 107, 109, etc. Inoperation, network interface 272 facilitates a bidirectional datacommunication with the plurality of multiservice communication devices125 via a wireless control channel. The bidirectional data communicationincludes outbound control data 278, such as remote control data sent toat least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices 125.The bidirectional data communication further includes inbound controldata 276, such as local control data, received from at least one of theplurality of multiservice communication devices 125. As discussed inconjunction with FIG. 20, the wireless control channel can beimplemented with a logical control channel that is carried by thecommunication between the plurality of multiservice communicationdevices 125 and one or more of the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc.

Management processing unit 270 can be implemented via at least onededicated or shared processing device. Such a processing device, may bea microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. Theassociated memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memorydevices that are either on-chip or off-chip. Such a memory device may bea read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatilememory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any devicethat stores digital information. Note that when the managementprocessing unit 270 implements one or more of its functions via a statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry,the associated memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsfor this circuitry is embedded with the circuitry comprising the statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

In an embodiment of the present invention the network interface caninclude a modem, switch, router, network interface card, data interfaceor other interface that is capable if coupling to wireless networks 107,109, etc. to send and receive inbound control data 276 and outboundcontrol channel 278 via one or more of the networks 107, 109, etc. Inaddition, network interface 272 includes a control channel interface, areceiver, such as an environmental monitoring receiver, or other inputdevice for receiving or generating network resource data that indicatesthe availability of network resources, such as frequency channels, timeslots or other resources of networks 107, 109, etc.

Management processing unit 270 processes the inbound control data 276and the network resource data 280 and generates the outbound controldata 278 in response. The outbound control data 278 can include networkconnection data, transmit and receive parameters, protocol parameters,cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 or other controlinformation to adapt or configure the multiservice communication devices125 to operate with wireless networks 107, 109, etc. As discussed, thecognitive transceiver configuration data 260 can include receiverfrequency band configuration data for configuring the frequency band ofthe receiver front-end; transmitter frequency band configuration datafor configuring the frequency band of the transmitter front end;baseband processing configuration data for configuring at least onebaseband processing parameter of the receiver baseband processingmodule; baseband processing application data for execution by thereceiver baseband processing module; baseband processing configurationdata for configuring at least one baseband processing parameter of thetransmitter baseband; and/or processing module baseband processingapplication data for execution by the transmitter baseband processingmodule.

For example, the inbound control data 276 can include at least onetransaction request, such as a request to download a file, to send amessage, to view a video program, to place a telephone call, etc. Themanagement processing unit 270 allocates at least one resource of atleast one of the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. based on theinbound control data and the network resource data. In an embodiment ofthe present invention, the management processing unit 270 selects one ofthe plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. to implement a transaction inaccordance with the transaction request based on the inbound controldata 276, that may further include device characteristics, device statusparameters, further preferences, such as RF environmental data, batteryremaining, desired quality of service, a latency preference, a costpreference, a device characteristic, a data rate preference. Managementprocessing unit 270 selects one of the plurality of networks 107, 109,etc. also based on the network resource data 280 that providesinformation on which network resources are available to potentiallyservice the request. The outbound control data 278 can include aselection of one of the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc along withother remote control data for adapting at least one transceiver of atleast one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices.

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, a network management unit 201 is shown for managing aplurality of multiservice communication devices 125, each capable ofcommunicating via a plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. In particular,management unit 201 communicates with each of the multiservicecommunication devices 125 via a separate wireless control channel.Control data exchanged between the management unit 201 and each of themultiservice communication devices 125 can include remote control datathat optionally include cognitive transceiver configuration data, andlocal control data.

In an embodiment of the present invention, management unit 201 gathersdevice identification data, such as an IP address, mobile identificationnumber, MAC address or other device identifier corresponding to each ofthe multiservice communication devices 125 via local control datatransmitted from each device to the management unit 201 via the physicalcontrol channel. Remote control data transmitted from the managementunit 201 to a particular multiservice communication device 125 isaddressed via device identifier for the particular device.

Further details regarding a possible implementation of management unit201 are presented in conjunction with FIG. 23 that follows.

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of amanagement unit in accordance with the present invention. In particular,management unit includes similar elements to management unit 200 thatare referred to by common reference numerals. However, network interface273 operates in a similar fashion to network interface 272 to generateor receive network resource data, however, inbound control data 276 andoutbound control channel data 278 are communicated via a communicationdevice interface, such as control channel transceiver 274. In operation,control channel transceiver, such as RF transceiver that iscomplementary to RF transceiver 123″, facilitates a bidirectional datacommunication with the plurality of multiservice communication devices125 via the wireless control channel.

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular a communication system is shown that shares similar elementsto the communication system of FIG. 20 that are referred to by commonreference numerals. In this embodiment however, management unit 200includes a local agent 292 that gathers environmental data from remotedevices 290 in communication with wireless network 107, and 109 and/orfrom multiservice communication devices 125. The remote devices 290 caninclude base stations, access points and other network devices, singleservice communication devices coupled to networks 107, 109, such asWLAN-enabled computers, wireless telephones or other devices incommunication with wireless networks 107, 109, etc.

The environmental data can include RF spectral information and locationdata from each remote device 290 that is used by the management unit 200to map the current RF environment to determine such factors as availablechannels, unused spectrum, used spectrum, sources and locations of noiseand interference, locations of other “trouble zones” where communicationvia one or more channels of via one or more of the networks 107, 109,etc. can be difficult. Local agent 292 can operate to gather and processthis information for use by management unit 200 to determine locationswhere handoffs will be required because a multiservice communicationdevice is entering a trouble zone, to allocate frequency channels andother network resources and to otherwise generate other outbound controldata 278, such as remote control data.

FIG. 25 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of amanagement unit in accordance with the present invention. In particular,a management unit 200 is shown that includes many similar elementsdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 21 that are referred to by commonreference numerals. In addition, management processing unit 270 includeslocal agent 292, that can be implemented via hardware, firmware orsoftware to gather environmental data via inbound data 276 frommultiservice communication devices 125 and via other remote devices 290that are part of or in communication with networks 107, 109, etc. Asdiscussed, management processing unit 270 processes the inbound controldata including the environmental data, and the network resource data andgenerate the outbound control data in response thereto.

In particular, local agent 292 can gather the environmental data from aplurality of remote devices, different from the plurality ofmultiservice communication devices, via the wireless control channeland/or from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communicationdevices via the wireless control channel.

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular a communication system is shown that shares similar elementsto the communication system of FIG. 22 that are referred to by commonreference numerals. In this embodiment however, management unit 201includes a local agent 292 that gathers environmental data from remotedevices 290, from networks 107, 109, etc. and/or from multiservicecommunication devices 125 via communication over a physical wirelesscontrol channel that can be implemented separate from the wirelessnetworks 107, 109, etc. The remote devices 290 can include dedicatedsensors configured to gather environmental data, or other devices incommunication with management unit 201.

The environmental data can include RF spectral information, powermeasurements and location data from each remote device 290 that is usedby the management unit 201 to map the current RF environment todetermine such factors as available channels, unused spectrum, usedspectrum, sources and locations of noise and interference, locations ofother “trouble zones” where communication via one or more channels ofvia one or more of the networks 107, 109, etc. can be difficult. Inaddition, environmental data can optionally be collected by managementunit 201 from one or more networks, such as network 107, 109, etc. Localagent 292 can operate to gather and process this information for use bymanagement unit 201 to determine locations where handoffs will berequired because a multiservice communication device is entering atrouble zone, to allocate frequency channels and other network resourcesand to otherwise generate other outbound control data 278, such asremote control data.

FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of amanagement unit in accordance with the present invention. In particular,a management unit 201 is shown that includes many similar elementsdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 23 that are referred to by commonreference numerals. In addition, management processing unit 270 includeslocal agent 292, that can be implemented via hardware, firmware orsoftware to gather environmental data via inbound data 276 frommultiservice communication devices 125 and via other remote devices 290that are part of or in communication with networks 107, 109, etc. Inparticular, local agent 292 can gather the environmental data from aplurality of remote devices, different from the plurality ofmultiservice communication devices, via the wireless control channeland/or from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communicationdevices via the wireless control channel. As discussed, managementprocessing unit 270 processes the inbound control data 276, thatincludes the environmental data along with the network resource data 280and generates the outbound control data in response thereto aspreviously described.

FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a managementnetwork in accordance with the present invention. In particular, ahierarchical management unit network is presented for managing aplurality of multiservice communication devices capable of communicatingvia a plurality of networks. The management unit network includes aplurality of local management units 300, each of the plurality of localmanagement units engaging in bidirectional data communication with atleast one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices, suchas communication device 125, via either a physical or logical wirelesscontrol channel. In a similar fashion to management units 200 and 201,local management units 300 each send outbound control data to, andreceive inbound control data, from at least one of the plurality ofmultiservice communication devices. One or more regional managementunits are coupled to receive the inbound control data from the at leastone of the plurality of local management units, for processing theinbound data to produce the outbound data and for sending the outbounddata to the at least one of the plurality of local management units. Inone embodiment, the local management units 300 are coupled to receivenetwork resource data 280 from at least one of the plurality ofnetworks, 107, 109, etc. and transmit the network resource data 280 tothe regional management unit 302. In response, the regional managementunits 302 generate the outbound control data 276 further based on thenetwork resource data 280. In another embodiment, the regionalmanagement units 302 are coupled to receive network resource data 280from the plurality of networks, 107, 109, etc. An optional areamanagement unit 304 is coupled to the region management units 302 foroptionally participating in the production of the outbound data. Thelocal management units 300 can also be coupled directly to networks 107,109, etc to receive network resource data 280.

In operation, the functionality of the management units 201 or 200 issplit among two or more layers of the hierarchical management network.Local tasks such as the communication of inbound control data 276 andoutbound control data 278, the operation of a local agent for gatheringand processing local environmental data is handled at the edge of thenetwork. One or more of the processing functions, such as the allocationof network resources, the storage of cognitive transceiver configurationdata, and the generation of other outbound control data 278 can beperformed at either the regional management unit level or the optionalarea management unit level.

FIGS. 29 and 30 are schematic block diagrams of other embodiments of amanagement unit in accordance with the present invention. In particular,management units 300 and 300′ operate in a similar fashion to managementunits 200 and 201. However, management units 300 and 300′ each include amanagement layer interface 310 that can be a wired or wirelessconnection that is either direct or implemented through one or morenetworks, such as the Internet, to communicate with a complementarymanagement layer interface 312 included in regional management unit 302.The management units 300 and 300′ are each shown in an optionalconfiguration whereby network resource data is collected by the localmanagement units themselves. However, as discussed in conjunction withFIG. 28, the regional management units 302, via their own networkinterface that operates similarly to network interface 272, can likewisegather network resource data 280 directly from the correspondingnetworks 107, 109, etc. In addition, in the configuration shown inconjunction with FIG. 28 where the management unit network includes anarea management unit 304, each of the regional management units 302 canfurther communicate with the area management unit 304 via the managementlayer interface 312.

As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 28, the functionality of themanagement units 201 or 200 is split among two or more layers of thehierarchical management network. Local tasks such as the communicationof inbound control data 276 and outbound control data 278, the operationof a local agent for gathering and processing local environmental datais handled at the edge of the network in the local management units 300,via their management processing units 270. One or more of the processingfunctions, such as the allocation of network resources, the storage ofcognitive transceiver configuration data, and the generation of otheroutbound control data 278 can be performed at either the regionalmanagement unit level or the optional area management unit level viamanagement processing units 270 included in the regional managementunits 302 and/or via management processing units 270 included in thearea management unit 304. In an embodiment of the present invention, thefunctionality discussed in conjunction with the management processingunit 270 of management units 200 and 201 can be distributed among themanagement processing units 270 at the local, regional and optional arealayers of the management unit network.

FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a processingmodule 225 in accordance with the present invention. In particular,processing module 225 of communication device 125 is shown to include acollaboration module 320, that can be implemented via hardware, softwareor firmware, depending on the implementation of processing module 225.In this embodiment, the management unit, such as management processingunit 200, 201, or management unit network generates the outbound controldata 278 that is received by the collaboration module 320 tocollaboratively establish at least one device setting of at least one ofthe plurality of multiservice communication devices 125.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the inbound control data 276includes a transaction request and at least one suggested resourceallocation generated by the collaboration module 320 and the managementunit 200, 201 or the management unit network, allocates at least oneresource of at least one of the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc.based on the inbound control data 276 and the network resource data 280.In another embodiment of the present invention, the inbound control data276 includes a transaction request and at least one suggested networkand the management unit 200, 201 or the management unit network, selectsone of the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. to implement atransaction in accordance with the transaction request based on theinbound control data 276 and the network resource data 280. Theseembodiments, the decision-making resides in the management unit 200, 201or the management unit network. In this fashion, collaboration module320, can generate suggested or recommended configurations based on itsown analysis of local control data such as location, devicecharacteristics, device preferences, user preferences, and the state ofthe device.

In other embodiments, the decision-making can reside in thecollaboration module 320. For example, the management unit 200, 201 orthe management unit network can generate outbound control data 278 thatincludes a recommended selection of one of the plurality of networks107, 109, etc. and the collaboration module 320 can select one of theplurality of networks, 107, 109, etc. based on the recommendedselection. In another example, the outbound control data 278 isgenerated to include recommended remote control data for adapting atleast one transceiver of at least one of the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices and the collaboration module chooses whether toadapt the at least one transceiver, based on the recommended remotecontrol data. In addition, the outbound control data 278 can includerecommended cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 for configuringat least one cognitive transceiver of a multiservice communicationdevice 125 and the collaboration module 320 chooses whether to configurethe at least one cognitive transceiver. In this fashion, management unit200 or 201, can generate suggested or recommended configurations basedon its own analysis of local control data such as location, devicecharacteristics, device preferences, user preferences, and the state ofthe device. In this fashion, collaboration module 320, can choose fromsuggested or recommended configurations based on its own analysis oflocal control data such as location, environment, noise andinterference, spectral characteristics, device characteristics, devicepreferences, user preferences, and the state of the device.

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular a service aggregator 325 is shown for allocating networkresources to a plurality of multiservice communication devices 125capable of communicating via a plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. Inan embodiment of the present invention the service aggregator isimplemented in conjunction with a management unit 200 or 201 or amanagement unit network, such as the management unit network of FIG. 28.

In operation, the service aggregator engages in a bidirectional datacommunication with the plurality of multiservice communication devices,such as communication device 125, via a wireless control channel. Thebidirectional data communication includes outbound control data, such asoutbound control data 278 sent to the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices and inbound control data, such as inbound controldata 276 received from the plurality of multiservice communicationdevices. Network resource data is gathered from the plurality ofnetworks. A management processing unit, such as management processingunit 270, processes the inbound control data and the network resourcedata and generates the outbound control data in response thereto,wherein the inbound control data includes at least one transactionrequest and the service aggregator allocates at least one resource of atleast one of the plurality of networks based on the inbound control dataand the network resource data.

For example, a communication device 125 can, via the wireless controlchannel, send a request to send a telephone call. The service aggregator325 locates an available network and sends outbound control data 278 tothe communication device 125 to communication with the network. Theoutbound control data can include cognitive transceiver configurationdata 260 that configures a cognitive transceiver of the communicationdevice 125 to communicate with the chosen network to place the call.

In another example, the communication device 125, while operating as aweb browser locates a broadcast video program of interest that is notavailable via the web. The communication device 125 uses a logicalcontrol channel carried via an IP protocol to contact the serviceaggregator to request access to the broadcast video program. The serviceaggregator locates a local broadcaster, based on location data providedby communication device 125 via inbound control data 276. Serviceaggregator downloads baseband processing data to be executed by thereceiver processing module and the transmitter processing module of acognitive transceiver of communication device 125 along with specificchannel information that will allow the cognitive receiver to tune to,receive and decode the video broadcast.

These examples merely illustrate the wide range of transactions possiblein accordance with the broad scope of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. In thisembodiment, management unit 200 engages in bidirectional datacommunication with the plurality of multiservice communication devices125 via a logical control channel, the bidirectional data communicationincluding outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality ofmultiservice communication devices and inbound control data receivedfrom at least one of the plurality of multiservice communicationdevices. In this example, the wireless control channel is carried by thecommunication between the plurality of multiservice communicationdevices 125 and the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc.

The management unit 200 processes the inbound control data along withnetwork resource data received from the networks 107, 109, etc. andgenerates the outbound control data in response thereto. In operation,the management unit 200, via a corresponding management processing unit,such as management processing unit 270, facilities the handoff of areal-time service provided by real-time service provider 330 from onenetwork, such as network 107 to a second network such as network 109.While a single service provider 330 is shown, management unit 200 cansimilarly be implemented to facilities the handoff for multiple serviceproviders.

For example, the real-time service can be a telephone call, a game, anaudio playback, a video playback, a file download, a multimediaapplication or other real-time service or application. In operation, themanagement unit 200, via management processing unit 270, detects apotential handoff condition via inbound control data, such adeterioration of performance, possible motion into a trouble zone, afailure of network resources, a change of service is desired such aswhen a higher data rate service is available or other condition. Inresponse, the management unit 200 via management processing unit 270,selects the second network based on one or more of: RF environmentaldata, battery remaining, desired quality of service, a latencypreference, a cost preference, a device characteristic, a data ratepreference and transmits this selection to communication device 125 viathe outbound control data 278.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the management unit 200 viamanagement processing unit 270, facilitates the establishment of aconnection between the communication device 125, prior to the handoff ofthe real-time service, based on the outbound control data 278 sent priorto the handoff of the real-time service. For example, management unit200 can transmit outbound control data 278 that includes cognitivetransceiver configuration data for configuring at least one cognitivetransceiver of at least one of the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices in accordance with the second network. In thisfashion, the communication device 125 can configure itself forcommunication with the second network.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the user of communicationdevice 125 is engaged in a telephone call via wireless network 107 whichis a GSM-based mobile telephony network, coupled to a public switchedtelephone network, and serviced via real-time service provider 330. Whenmanagement unit 200 detects, based on location data from thecommunication device 125, that the communication device 125 is coming inrange of the user's home where wireless network 109, in this case homewireless network, management unit prepares a handoff to network 109. Inparticular, management unit 201 transfers cognitive transceiverconfiguration data 260 or other outbound control data 276 to thecommunication device 125 to configure the communication device tocommunicate with wireless network 109.

When, based on inbound control data 276, the management unit 201 detectsvia inbound control data 276 that the communication device 125 hasconfigured its cognitive radio transceiver and is in range of thewireless network 109, the management unit 201 negotiates the handoff thecall via IP protocol communications with real-time service provider 330from network 107 to wireless network 109. In particular, management unit201 provides the IP address of the communication device 109 along withGSM device identifiers to real-time service provider 330, who places thecall on wireless network 107 on-hold or terminates the mobile call,while transferring the call to a voice-over-IP call accessed viacommunication device 125 via network 109.

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular a communication system is presented that functions in asimilar fashion to the communication system of FIG. 33. In thisembodiment however, control data exchanged between a communicationdevice 125 and the management unit 201 via a separate physical controlchannel. As described in conjunction with FIG. 33, management unit 201communicates control data to facilitate the handoff of a real-timeservice from real-time service provider 330 from network 107 to 109.This facilitation can include the establishment of the provision of thereal-time service via the network 109, prior to the handoff. Thisfacilitation can further include the adaption or configuration of one ormore transceivers of communication device 125 for communication with thenetwork 109.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-34. The method begins by wirelesslytransceiving data via a plurality of transceivers with a correspondingplurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of networkprotocols as shown in step 400. In step 402, signals received from anenvironmental monitoring receiver over a broadband spectrum areprocessed to generate environmental data. In step 404, the environmentaldata is processed to generate at least one control signal for adaptingat least one of the plurality of transceivers.

FIG. 36 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-35. In step 410, data via a plurality oftransceivers are wirelessly transceived with a corresponding pluralityof networks in accordance with a plurality of network protocols. In step412, signals received from one of the plurality of transceivers,configured as an environmental monitoring receiver in a environmentalmonitoring mode of operation, are processed over a broadband spectrum togenerate environmental data. In step 414, the environmental data areprocessed to generate at least one control signal for adapting at leastone of the plurality of transceivers.

FIG. 37 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-36. In step 420, data is wirelessly transceivedvia a plurality of transceivers with a corresponding plurality ofnetworks in accordance with a plurality of network protocols. In step422, signals are transceived via a control channel transceiver with aremote management unit including local control data and remote controldata. In step 424, the remote control data are processed to generate atleast one control signal for adapting at least one of the plurality oftransceivers.

FIG. 38 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-37. In step 430, data are wirelesslytransceived via a plurality of transceivers with a correspondingplurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of networkprotocols, wherein one of the plurality of transceivers is configured asa control channel transceiver for transceiving signals via a controlchannel receiver with a remote management unit in a control channel modeof operation. The signals include both local control data and remotecontrol data. In step 432, the remote control data are processed togenerate at least one control signal for adapting at least one of theplurality of transceivers.

FIG. 39 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-38. In step 440, network data are wirelesslytransceived via a plurality of transceivers with a correspondingplurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of networkprotocols, wherein one of the plurality of transceivers furthertransceives control channel data with a remote management unitcontemporaneously with the network data via a logical control channelcarried using a corresponding one of the plurality of network protocols,the control data including local control data and remote control data.In step 442, the remote control data are processed to generate at leastone control signal for adapting at least one of the plurality oftransceivers.

FIG. 40 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-39. In step 450, network data are wirelesslytransceived via a plurality of transceivers with a correspondingplurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of networkprotocols, wherein one of the plurality of transceivers furthertransceives control channel data with a remote management unit via alogical control channel embedded in the network data transceived with acorresponding one of the plurality of networks, the control dataincluding local control data and remote control data. In step 452, theremote control data are processed to generate at least one controlsignal for adapting at least one of the plurality of transceivers.

FIG. 41 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-40. In step 460, network data are wirelesslytransceived via a plurality of transceivers with a correspondingplurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of networkprotocols via a multiservice communication device, wherein at least oneof the plurality of transceivers includes a cognitive radio transceiver.Step 462 continues by receiving cognitive transceiver configuration datafrom a management unit in communication with the multiservicecommunication device, via a control channel. In step 464, at least onecognitive radio transceiver is configured based on the cognitivetransceiver configuration data.

FIG. 42 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-41. The method includes processing thecognitive transceiver configuration data to generate at least onecontrol signal in response thereto, as shown in step 470.

FIG. 43 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-42. In step 480, the first cognitive radiotransceiver is configured to implement the control channel.

FIG. 44 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-43. In step 490, a bidirectional datacommunication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservicecommunication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectionaldata communication including outbound control data sent to at least oneof the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inboundcontrol data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices. In step 492, network resource data are receivedfrom a plurality of networks. In step 494, the inbound control data andthe network resource data are processed to generate the outbound controldata in response thereto.

FIG. 45 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-44. Step 500 begins the method by, engaging ina bidirectional data communication between a plurality of localmanagement units and a plurality of multiservice communication devicesvia a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communicationincluding outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality ofmultiservice communication devices and inbound control data receivedfrom at least one of the plurality of multiservice communicationdevices. In step 502, the inbound control data are received at a firstregional management unit. In step 504, the inbound control data areprocessed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto.

FIG. 46 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-45. In step 510, a bidirectional datacommunication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservicecommunication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectionaldata communication including outbound control data sent to at least oneof the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inboundcontrol data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is separatefrom the communication between the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices and the plurality of networks. In step 512,network resource data is received from a plurality of networks. In step514, the inbound control data and the network resource data areprocessed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto. Theinbound control data includes at least one transaction request andallocating at least one network resources of the plurality of networksbased on the inbound control data and the network resource data.

FIG. 47 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-46. In step 520, a bidirectional datacommunication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservicecommunication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectionaldata communication including outbound control data sent to at least oneof the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inboundcontrol data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is carriedby the communication between the plurality of multiservice communicationdevices and the plurality of networks. In step 522, network resourcedata is received from a plurality of networks. In step 524, the inboundcontrol data and the network resource data are processed to generate theoutbound control data in response thereto, wherein the inbound controldata includes at least one transaction request and allocating at leastone network resources of the plurality of networks based on the inboundcontrol data and the network resource data.

FIG. 48 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-47. In step 530, a bidirectional datacommunication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservicecommunication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectionaldata communication including outbound control data sent to at least oneof the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inboundcontrol data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is separatefrom the communication between the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices and the plurality of networks. In step 532,network resource data are received from a plurality of networks. In step534, the inbound control data and the network resource data areprocessed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto tofacilitate the handoff of a real-time service accessed by the at leastone of the plurality of multiservice communication devices via a firstnetwork of the plurality of networks to a second network of theplurality of networks.

FIG. 49 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-48. In step 540, a bidirectional datacommunication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservicecommunication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectionaldata communication including outbound control data sent to at least oneof the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inboundcontrol data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is carriedby the communication between the plurality of multiservice communicationdevices and the plurality of networks. In step 542, network resourcedata are received from a plurality of networks. In step 544, the inboundcontrol data and the network resource data are processed to generate theoutbound control data in response thereto to facilitate the handoff of areal-time service accessed by the at least one of the plurality ofmultiservice communication devices via a first network of the pluralityof networks to a second network of the plurality of networks.

FIG. 50 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-49. In step 550, a bidirectional datacommunication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservicecommunication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectionaldata communication including outbound control data sent to at least oneof the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inboundcontrol data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is separatefrom the communication between the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices and the plurality of networks. In step 552,network resource data are received from a plurality of networks. In step554, the inbound control data and the network resource data areprocessed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto tocollaboratively establish at least one device setting of at least one ofthe plurality of multiservice devices via a collaboration module.

FIG. 51 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-50. In step 560, a bidirectional datacommunication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservicecommunication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectionaldata communication including outbound control data sent to at least oneof the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inboundcontrol data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is carriedby the communication between the plurality of multiservice communicationdevices and the plurality of networks. In step 562, network resourcedata are received from a plurality of networks. In step 564, the inboundcontrol data and the network resource data are processed to generate theoutbound control data in response thereto to collaboratively establishat least one device setting of at least one of the plurality ofmultiservice devices via a collaboration module.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, theintervening item does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As mayfurther be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element iscoupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirectcoupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As mayeven further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that anitem includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s),etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A management unit for managing a plurality ofmultiservice communication devices capable of communicating wireles slyvia a plurality of networks, the management unit comprising: a deviceinterface for facilitating a bidirectional data communication with theplurality of multiservice communication devices via a wireless controlchannel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound controldata sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communicationdevices and inbound control data received from at least one of theplurality of multiservice communication devices; a network interfacethat receives network resource data from the plurality of networks; anda management processing unit, coupled to the device interface and thenetwork interface, that includes a local agent that gathersenvironmental data that includes RF spectral information pertaining tothe RF spectrum in use by the plurality of networks to determinelocations where handoffs will be desirable from one network of theplurality of networks to another network of the plurality of networks,wherein the management processing unit processes the inbound controldata, the environmental data and the network resource data and thatgenerates the outbound control data in response thereto.
 2. Themanagement unit of claim 1 wherein the local agent gathers theenvironmental data from a plurality of remote devices, different fromthe plurality of multiservice communication devices, via the wirelesscontrol channel.
 3. The management unit of claim 1 wherein the localagent gathers the environmental data from at least one of the pluralityof multiservice communication devices via the wireless control channel.4. The management unit of claim 1 wherein the local agent gathers theenvironmental data from at least one of the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices via the wireless control channel.
 5. Themanagement unit of claim 1 wherein the environmental data includeslocation data.
 6. The management unit of claim 1 wherein the inboundcontrol data includes at least one transaction request and themanagement unit allocates at least one resource of at least one of theplurality of networks based on the inbound control data and the networkresource data.
 7. The management unit of claim 1 wherein the inboundcontrol data includes at least one transaction request and themanagement unit selects one of the plurality of networks to implement atransaction in accordance with the transaction request based on theinbound control data and the network resource data.
 8. The managementunit of claim 1 wherein the outbound control data includes a selectionof one of the plurality of networks.
 9. The management unit of claim 1wherein the outbound control data includes cognitive transceiverconfiguration data for configuring at least one cognitive transceiver ofat least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices. 10.A management unit for managing a plurality of multiservice communicationdevices capable of communicating wirelessly via a plurality of networks,the management unit comprising: a network interface that receivesnetwork resource data from the plurality of networks and thatfacilitates a bidirectional data communication with the plurality ofmultiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, thebidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent toat least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices andinbound control data received from at least one of the plurality ofmultiservice communication devices, wherein the wireless control channelis carried by the communication between the plurality of multiservicecommunication devices and the plurality of networks; and a managementprocessing unit, coupled to the network interface, that includes a localagent that gathers environmental data that includes RF spectralinformation pertaining to the RF spectrum in use by the plurality ofnetworks to determine locations where handoffs will be desirable fromone network of the plurality of networks to another network of theplurality of networks, wherein the management processing unit processesthe inbound control data, the environmental data and the networkresource data and that generates the outbound control data in responsethereto.
 11. The management unit of claim 10 wherein the local agentgathers the environmental data from a plurality of remote devices,different from the plurality of multiservice communication devices, viathe wireless control channel.
 12. The management unit of claim 10wherein the local agent gathers the environmental data from at least oneof the plurality of multiservice communication devices via the wirelesscontrol channel.
 13. The management unit of claim 10 wherein the localagent gathers the environmental data from at least one of the pluralityof multiservice communication devices via the wireless control channel.14. The management unit of claim 10 wherein the environmental dataincludes location data.
 15. The management unit of claim 10 wherein theinbound control data includes at least one transaction request and themanagement unit allocates at least one resource of at least one of theplurality of networks based on the inbound control data and the networkresource data.
 16. The management unit of claim 10 wherein the inboundcontrol data includes at least one transaction request and themanagement unit selects one of the plurality of networks to implement atransaction in accordance with the transaction request based on theinbound control data and the network resource data.
 17. The managementunit of claim 10 wherein the outbound control data includes a selectionof one of the plurality of networks.
 18. The management unit of claim 10wherein the outbound control data includes cognitive transceiverconfiguration data for configuring at least one cognitive transceiver ofat least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices.